our book of medicine

Our Book of Medicine

Central High School
Ms. Truong
Honors Pharmacology
24 September 2019

Emma Bertolino, Kayla Greco, Makenzie Smith

Melissa Officinalis L.

● Lemon Balm
● Native to North Africa, Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean region
● Historical uses; Wine infused liniment to relieve pain, used to heal broken

hearts, bathing in it was good for healthy skin
● Modern uses; Aromatherapy, stomach bloating, insect bites, herbal tea,

weaker antibacterial, antiviral properties, used as a mild sedative or calming
agent, reducing stress
● Taking lemon balm along with sedative medications might cause too much
sleepiness. Taking lemon balm with diabetes might lower blood pressure.

Thymus Vulgaris L.

● Thyme
● Cultivated: best cultivated in a hot, sunny location with well-drained soil, tolerates drought well, can take deep

freezes and are found growing wild on mountain highlands. Farmed today in many parts of Europe
● Uses: taken by mouth for bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throat. Internally used for cold related coughs. Externally

used for the relief of cold symptoms. colic, arthritis, upset stomach, stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, bedwetting, a
movement disorder in children (dyspraxia), intestinal gas (flatulence), parasitic worm infections, and skin disorders.
It is also used to increase urine flow (as a diuretic), to disinfect the urine, and as an appetite stimulant. Some people
apply thyme directly to the skin to act as a counterirritant, for hoarseness (laryngitis), swollen tonsils (tonsillitis),
sore mouth, and bad breath.
● Thyme oil is used as a germ-killer in mouthwashes and liniments. It is also applied to the scalp to treat baldness and
to the ears to fight bacterial and fungal infections.
● In foods, thyme is used as a flavoring agent.
● Contraindication: Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with THYME
● Toxicology: safe when consumed in normal food amounts. Thyme is possibly safe when taken by mouth as medicine
for short periods of time. In some people, it can cause digestive system upset, headache, or dizziness

Matricaria Recutita L.

● Chamomile
● Ancient Egypt. Utilized in Europe
● Historical Uses: drank in teas to alleviate gas, known as “cure-all” herb
● Uses today: Applied to skin for inflammations and diseases. Inhaled for sore

throats. Primarily used in herbal tea. Better sleep, cold fighter, menstrual
cramps, hemorrhoid help.
● Contraindications: Do not use if you are allergic to ragweed pollen. Avoid
during pregnancy as it could increase the chances of a miscarriage. Avoid
drinking chamomile tea if you take anticoagulant medications such as
warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine or pentoxifylline. Could thin blood
and lead to internal bleeding

Allium Sativum

● Garlic
● Native to central Asia but grown commonly in italy and southern france
● Historical uses; fought against vampires and other evil spirits.
● Uses today: Used for blood system and heart conditions ex: heart attack,

hypertension, etc. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Used to prevent
lung cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, rectal cancer,
● Contraindications: avoid with other herbal health supplements as it could
cause blood clotting.
●

Lavandula Angustifolia

● Lavender
● Mediterranean region
● Europe, the United States, and Australia
● Historical use: Egyptians used lavender in the mummifying process
● Todays use: dietary supplement to reduce stress and anxiety. Application to

skin for hair loss and pain reliever. Tea can be made from lavender leaves.

BloodLetting

● Culture associated with- Began with ancient Sumerians and Egyptians but wasn't popularized
until time of classical Greece and Rome

● Purpose of Practice- to keep the 4 substances in which they believed the body was made of
balanced and maintain healthiness

● Description of Practice- Cutting a vein open and draining blood, sometimes by leeches
● Person(s) who this practice may be attributed to- anyone ill, basically the solution to

anything
● Compare this practice to a modern day practice- blood transfusions

Skull Trepanation

● Culture associated with- Peru, Bolivia
● Purpose of Practice- letting evil spirits out of the mentally ill
● Description of Practice- opening of the skull; scraping, drilling and cutting
● Person(s) who this practice may be attributed to- the mentally ill, most often performed on

adult males
● Compare this practice to a modern day practice- brain surgery, therapy

Clay Consumption

● Culture associated with- Greece
● Purpose of Practice- to treat stomach pains and diarrhea
● Description of Practice- consuming terra sigillata, clay filled with kaolin and bentonite
● Person(s) who this practice may be attributed to- people with minor discomforts
● Compare this practice to a modern day practice- those two elements are still used today to

treat stomach pains and diarrhea

Grub Salves

● Culture associated with- ancient australians
● Purpose of Practice- to treat skin lesions and wounds
● Description of Practice- grind up grub worms, pack them into any cut or abrasion, the

paste made would help in the healing process. A bandage was placed over this to keep air out
and bacteria that aided in healing in.
● Person(s) who this practice may be attributed to- people with minor cuts
● Compare this practice to a modern day practice- now we have ointments and creams
which are more safe and sterile